Icelandic Gambit (or Palme Gambit)

3.c4 is often used as a transpositional device rather than as a way of trying to hold onto the d5-pawn, since after 3...c6, 4.dxc6?! Nxc6 gives Black excellent compensation for the pawn, keeping White's d2-pawn backward by taking control of the d4-square, and Black also gets very strong piece play. The problem with 3...c6 is 4.d4 which transposes to the Panov Attack of the Caro-Kann Defence (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4) which gives White some chances of a small edge, typically in positions with an isolated pawn on d4 but compensatory attacking chances.

But with 3...e6, Black denies White that transposition. The line with 3...e6 is mostly known as the Icelandic Gambit, and hence I have titled this page accordingly, although there is a strong case for naming it the Palme Gambit after Rudolf Palme (1910-2005), who was the first to introduce the gambit into master play, as pointed out by Stefan Bücker in Kaissiber 32. White can still decline the gambit by transposing to a line of the French Defence, Exchange Variation with 4.d4, but that line is generally considered to be equal with best play. Thus theoretically critical is 4.dxe6 Bxe6. White then generally chooses between 5.d4 and 5.Nf3 intending 6.d4, to prevent Black from making White's d2-pawn backward, and 5.Nf3 is the more critical of the two options.

Games and analysis

I start off by looking at the accepted lines of the gambit. In game order:1. 4.dxe6 Bxe6 5.d4. An attractive win by Julian Hodgson. In general Black is doing very well after 5...Bb4+ 6.Bd2 (6.Nc3 Ne4) 6...Qe7 (6...Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 Qe7 is also good) 7.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 8.Qd2 and Black chooses between 8...Nc6, and 8...Qe7 transposing to 6...Bxd2+ lines.2. 4.dxe6 Bxe6 5.Be2. I also take a quick look at 5.Nc3. White doesn't bother too much about the d2-pawn being left backward and concentrates on solid development. Again, Black doesn't have many problems getting enough for the pawn.3. 4.dxe6 Bxe6 5.Nf3. This is the most challenging variation. Here 5...Nc6 is less effective because of 6.d4 and if 6...Bb4+ 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Bd2 and the f3-knight does a good job of guarding d2 and d4. 5...c5 and 5...Qe7 both tend to lead to a quick queen exchange, but Black's activity comes close to providing full compensation for the pawn, though I think objectively White can get an edge in both cases.4. 4.d4. A quick look at some relevant lines in the Exchange French. "Isolated queen's pawn" positions generally result, with equal chances for both sides.5. 4.Nc3. Finally a look at some minor ways of declining which leave White at risk of ending up with a worse game.

Games

[Event "Hoogovens-B"]
[Site "Wijk aan Zee"]
[Date "1989.01.21"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Kuijf, Marinus"]
[Black "Hodgson, Julian M"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2485"]
[BlackElo "2545"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "1989.01.16"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "11"]
[EventCountry "NED"]
[EventCategory "10"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1989.10.01"]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. c4 e6 {This is generally known as the Icelandic Gambit,
although there is a strong case for naming it the Palme Gambit. Instead of
the definitely sound 3...c6, which White normally declines, leading to the
Panov Attack of the Caro-Kann Defence, Black plays 3...e6, offering to
sacrifice a central pawn in return for open lines and attacking chances down
the d and e-files, but keeping White's d-pawn backward with less certainty.
One advantage of 3...e6 is that if White declines the gambit, then the best
that White can hope for is a transposition into the French Defence, Exchange
Variation, which is normally equal with best play.} 4. dxe6 {White takes the
pawn, although this is not forced. The last two illustrative games will
feature methods of declining the gambit, of which 4.d4 and 4.Nc3 are the most
important.} Bxe6 {[%csl Gd4][%cal Rb8c6,Rc6d4] Diagram [#] Black is
threatening to leave White's d2-pawn backward (i.e. unable to obtain support
from neighbouring pawns) by playing ...Nb8-c6, taking control over the
d4-square, which can then be used as an outpost for the black pieces.
Therefore, White generally takes steps to prevent this from happening,
although as we will see in the next game, 5.Be2 is a viable alternative.} 5. d4
{[%cal Rd4d5] is the most obvious way of preventing Black from making White's
d-pawn backward, and after Black brings the b8-knight out to c6, there is the
threat of d4-d5, forking Black's bishop on e6 and knight on c6. However, this
line is not theoretically challenging.} Bb4+ {is Black's starting move,
generating active piece play immediately.} 6. Bd2 {Diagram [#]} (6. Nc3 Ne4 {
is difficult for White to deal with effectively, since Black has pressure
against c4 and d4 as well as c3.} 7. Qd3 {holds onto the extra pawn, but runs
into} Bf5 {, e.g.} 8. Bd2 O-O {threatens to cause trouble down the e-file with
...Re8.} 9. O-O-O $6 {should be met by} Nxc3) 6... Qe7 {Black defends the
bishop on b4, anticipating that White will exchange it off, bringing the black
queen out to a strong post on b4.} (6... Bxd2+ 7. Qxd2 Qe7 {is a good
alternative for Black, which transposes to 6...Qe7 7.Bxb4 Qxb4+ 8.Qd2 Qe7.}) 7.
Bxb4 (7. Qe2 {is White's main alternative, though it is not often played.} Nc6
8. Nf3 O-O-O 9. d5 {[%cal Rd5e6,Rd5c6] Diagram [#] This is a strong-looking
pawn fork, which wins a piece in some variations, but leaves White facing a
strong attack, for example,} Rhe8 10. dxe6 {and now} Rd6 {, which has not been
tested according to my database, is strong, for example,} 11. Nc3 Rxe6 12. Be3
Ne4 {and Black has very dangerous compensation for the piece.}) 7... Qxb4+ 8.
Qd2 {White wants to trade queens, but it is rarely possible for White to
achieve such an exchange in this line without making further concessions.} Nc6
(8... Qe7 {is a good alternative, ensuring that the queens stay on the board,
and transposing to the line 6...Bxd2+ 7.Qxd2 Qe7.} 9. Qe3 Nc6 10. Be2 (10. d5
$6 {looks strong because of the pawn fork, but Black gets out with} Ng4 {and if
} 11. Qe4 Qf6 {counterattacks against b2 and f2, and Black gets the better of
the resulting complications, e.g.} 12. f3 O-O-O 13. fxg4 Qxb2 14. dxc6 Rhe8 15.
Be2 Qxa1) 10... O-O-O 11. d5 {Diagram [#]} Nb4 {This involves the sacrifice of
a piece due to the pin against the black queen on e7, but Black can get a
strong attack in return.} (11... Ng4 {is a good alternative, e.g.} 12. Qc3 Qc5
13. Nh3 Rhe8 {Nilange,A (1000)-Torre,L (1082) IECG email 2002}) 12. Na3 Nfxd5
13. cxd5 Nxd5 14. Qxa7 Qb4+ 15. Kf1 {and, regardless of what your computer may
say, Black has good compensation for the sacrificied piece due to the
misplaced white king, Hansen, G (2295)-Ligaard,M (2210) Copenhagen 1996}) 9.
Nc3 (9. Qxb4 $6 Nxb4 10. Na3 O-O-O {is better for Black, in spite of the pawn
minus and exchange of queens, since ...Rh8-e8 is coming and it is hard for
White to defend against the various threats on the queenside and in the centre.
Here is one example where Black's attack came crashing through:} 11. d5 Bf5 12.
f3 c6 13. g4 $6 (13. Kf2 cxd5 14. Nh3 Rhe8 $17) 13... Nxg4 14. Bh3 Rhe8+ 15.
Kd2 Ne3 16. Re1 Nxc4+ 17. Nxc4 Rxd5+ 18. Kc3 Nxa2+ 19. Kb3 Rxe1 20. Bxf5+ Kc7
21. Kxa2 Rxf5 22. b4 Rg5 23. Nh3 {0-1 (23) Di Paolo,R (2323)-Biolek,R (2449)
Imperia 2003}) (9. d5 O-O-O 10. Nc3 {transposes to the game continuation.} (10.
Qxb4 $6 Nxb4 11. Na3 Bf5 {transposes to 9.Qxb4.})) 9... O-O-O 10. d5 {[%cal
Rd8d2] Diagram [#] The pawn fork is not really that strong, because here
Black's d8-rook pins the d5-pawn against the white queen.} Bg4 11. f3 Rhe8+ 12.
Be2 Bf5 {Black has good compensation for the pawn, and chances are
approximately equal, but White soon crumbles.} 13. O-O-O {Castling on the same
side as Black makes sense, as it reduces Black's potential to unbalance the
position, but Black can still generate strong queenside play.} Na5 14. g4 Bg6
15. Nh3 Nd7 (15... Nxc4 16. Bxc4 Qxc4 {is objectively better, with an edge for
Black, but Hodgson may have been tempted by the possibility of the attractive
queen sacrifice that features in the game.}) 16. Nb1 $2 (16. Ne4 {had to be
played, whereupon Black should side-step the queen trade with} Qa4 {but then
the queens are likely to come off anyway after} 17. b3 Qa3+ 18. Qb2 Qxb2+ (
18... Qb4 19. Nhf2) 19. Kxb2 Bxe4 20. fxe4 Rxe4 {with roughly equal chances.})
16... Qb3 $1 17. Bd3 (17. axb3 $4 Nxb3#) 17... Qxa2 18. Qb4 Re2 19. Bxe2 Nb3+
20. Qxb3 Qxb3 21. Rd2 Qe3 0-1
[Event "RUS Central Region-ch"]
[Site "Tula "]
[Date "2007.03.20"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Elizarov, Andrey"]
[Black "Didenko, Sergei"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2340"]
[BlackElo "2112"]
[PlyCount "31"]
[EventDate "2007.03.17"]
[EventType "swiss"]
[EventRounds "9"]
[EventCountry "RUS"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2007.11.25"]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. dxe6 Bxe6 5. Be2 {Diagram [#] This is the
most popular of White's "restrained" alternatives, allowing Black to secure
control of the d4-square, and preparing solid development and castling,
putting the onus on Black to demonstrate sufficient piece play and positional
pluses in return for the pawn.} (5. Nc3 {is also occasionally played but is
probably inferior.} Nc6 6. Nf3 Qe7 (6... Bc5 7. Be2 {is likely to transpose
into the game.}) 7. Be2 (7. Qe2 O-O-O {is strong for Black, with threats of ...
Nb4 and ...Nd4.}) 7... Bxc4 8. O-O Bxe2 9. Nxe2 O-O-O {and Black has regained
the gambit pawn and has a slight advantage, Klundt,K (2398)-Holzhaeuer,M (2347)
Germany 2000}) 5... Nc6 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. O-O O-O {Black quickly gets castled and
prepares to play ...Re8.} (7... Qd7 {is the main alternative, where Black opts
to maximise the amount of imbalance in the position by castling on the
opposite side of the board, and although Rybka prefers kingside castling, I
think this may be a better practical option for Black, as long as Black is not
tempted to win back the pawn in a way that allows en-masse simplification.} 8.
Nc3 O-O-O 9. d3 Bf5 {Black puts more pressure on the d3-pawn, and White has no
good way of defending it, so usually freely returns the pawn in order to catch
up in development.} (9... Nb4 $6 10. Ne5) 10. Bg5 {Diagram [#]} Bxd3 ({Taking
the pawn is not forced, and if Black would rather take some risks in order to
keep winning chances, a good alternative is} 10... Rhe8 {, for example,} 11.
Bxf6 gxf6 12. Nd5 Nd4 13. Nxd4 Bxd4 $44 {and Black is making good use of
White's weak spot on d4, Nagy,Z-Lambrechts,T ICCF email 2006}) 11. Qxd3 Qxd3
12. Bxd3 Rxd3 13. Bxf6 gxf6 14. Rfd1 Rhd8 15. Kf1 Ne5 16. Rxd3 Rxd3 17. Ke2 Rd8
18. Nxe5 fxe5 {gave a level position and I think the players were justified in
agreeing to a draw in Ayas Fernandez,A (2317)-Jerez Perez,A (2399) Spain 2004})
8. d3 Re8 9. Nc3 Bf5 10. Bg5 h6 (10... Nd4 {is sometimes played, making
immediate use of the d4-square, but it is probably premature here because of}
11. Nxd4 Bxd4 12. Nd5) 11. Bh4 Nd4 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Bxf6 Qxf6 14. Bg4 Bh7 15.
Nb5 Re7 16. d4 {The game was prematurely agreed drawn here. I can see plenty
of scope for play in this position, starting with 16...Rd8 for Black, though
as the lower-rated player, a draw was probably a good result from Black's
perspective.} 1/2-1/2
[Event "W-Cup17 WS37 email"]
[Site "ICCF email"]
[Date "2009.06.01"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Dubois, Claude"]
[Black "Tleptsok, Ruslan Aslanovich"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B01"]
[WhiteElo "2047"]
[PlyCount "122"]
[EventDate "2009.??.??"]
[EventType "corr"]
[EventRounds "8"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2010.08.31"]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. dxe6 Bxe6 5. Nf3 {[%csl Gd4][%cal Gf3d4,Gd2d4]
Diagram [#] White covers the d4-square, preparing to play d2-d4 on the next
move. Against this, it is tempting for Black to continue in the same way as
against 5.d4, but the approach doesn't work for Black, because the knight on
f3 gives useful support for the d4-pawn and the d2-square.} Qe7 {This has
become established as Black's most reliable response. Black generates threats
down the e-file and encourages White to block them with Qe2. This line often
results in a quick queen trade, but Black can still generate piece activity.} (
5... Nc6 {is no longer effective because of} 6. d4 Bb4+ (6... Qe7 7. Be3 {
avoids the transposition to the 5... Qe7 line and should be better for White,
e.g.} O-O-O 8. Nbd2 Bf5 9. d5 Nb4 10. Nd4 $14) 7. Nc3 Ne4 8. Bd2 {Diagram [#]
as the knight on f3 prevents Black from taking on d4 with the queen, and Black
cannot afford to take on d4 with the c6-knight because the e4-knight is
hanging.} Nxd2 {then grabs the bishop-pair, but Black's activity then largely
fizzles out, and} 9. Qxd2 Qe7 10. O-O-O {leaves Black with insufficient
compensation for the pawn. One practical example continued from here:} O-O-O
11. a3 Na5 12. Qc2 Bd6 13. d5 Bg4 14. b4 Rhe8 15. Bd3 Qf6 16. bxa5 Bxa3+ 17.
Kb1 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Bb4 19. Ne4 Qxf3 20. a6 bxa6 21. c5 Kb8 22. Qc4 Ka8 23. d6
cxd6 24. Nxd6 Rxd6 25. cxd6 Bxd6 26. Rhe1 Qb7+ 27. Ka2 Rc8 28. Qd4 Bc5 29. Qa4
{Wang,M (2463)-Strand,T (2399) CAPA email 2000}) (5... c5 {is a fairly rare,
but interesting, way of trying to undermine White's control of the d4-square.
White can generally force an exchange of queens in this line, but has to play
accurately to demonstrate any advantage.} 6. d4 cxd4 {Diagram [#]} 7. Nxd4 (7.
Qxd4 Nc6 8. Qxd8+ Rxd8 {leaves Black with a long lead in development which
should give enough compensation for the pawn, e.g.} 9. Be2 Nb4 10. Na3 Nd3+ (
10... Bc5 {is a good alternative}) 11. Bxd3 Rxd3 12. Ke2 Rd7 $44 {Siewert,
W-Kmiecik,K (2173) GER corr 1999}) 7... Bc5 8. Be3 Ng4 9. Nxe6 Qxd1+ 10. Kxd1 {
Diagram [#]} Bxe3 ({Mark Nieuweboer's suggestion} 10... Nxe3+ 11. fxe3 fxe6 {
is a good alternative to the game continuation, although after} 12. Ke2 {I am
doubtful if Black's compensation for the pawn is sufficient.}) 11. Nc7+ $6 (11.
Nxg7+ Kf8 12. fxe3 Kxg7 13. Ke2 {allows Black to regain one of the two
sacrificed pawns with} Re8 14. Nc3 Nxe3 15. Kd2 {whereupon Black clearly has
some compensation for the pawn, but in this simplified position, it is not
clear if it is enough.}) 11... Kd7 12. Nxa8 Nxf2+ 13. Ke2 Re8 {and, although
White went on to win the game, Black had the better chances in Laurent,B (2337)
-Okhotnik,V (2470) Agneaux 2006}) 6. Qe2 {White blocks off any discovered
checks down the e-file and prepares to play d4-d5, encouraging Black's
e6-bishop to move out of the way, whereupon White will exchange queens,
achieving a relatively simplified position where White is a pawn up.} Nc6 7. d4
{[%csl Rc6,Gd5,Re6][%cal Rd4d5]} Bf5 {This allows White to exchange queens,
but Black's main alternative looks dubious.} (7... O-O-O {is the move that
Black would ideally like to play, preparing to sacrifice a piece for
compensation. It may well work in rapid games, but objectively, White has some
strong defensive resources involving giving up the queen, but getting a lot of
material in return.} 8. d5 {Diagram [#]} Nb4 ({A more popular alternative for
Black is to bring the queen out,} 8... Qb4+ 9. Nc3 Bf5 10. dxc6 Bc5 11. cxb7+
Kxb7 (11... Qxb7 {may be an improvement, but White still has the better
chances after giving up the queen with} 12. Be3 Bd3 (12... Bxe3 13. fxe3 Bd3
14. Qxd3 Rxd3 15. Bxd3 Qxb2 16. Bf5+ Kd8 17. Rd1+ Ke7 18. Ne2 $16 {Delgado,
L-Skonieczny, J IECG email 2004}) 13. Qxd3 Rxd3 14. Bxd3 $16) 12. Be3 Bxe3 13.
fxe3 Bd3 14. Qxd3 Rxd3 15. Bxd3 {is close to winning for White, as White has
two pieces, rook and pawn for the queen. One practical example continued:} Ng4
16. O-O Nxe3 17. a3 Qb6 18. Be4+ c6 19. Na4 Qa5 20. Rfe1 Nxg2 21. Kxg2 Qxa4 22.
b3 Qa5 23. Ne5 Qd2+ 24. Kh1 Rc8 25. b4 {1-0 (25) Morin,S (2348)-Corbat,P (2055)
IECC email 2002}) 9. dxe6 Nd3+ 10. Qxd3 $1 Rxd3 11. Bxd3 Qxe6+ 12. Kf1 {
Diagram [#] and White has a rook and two pieces for the queen, a material
balance which normally favours the pieces, although White's advantage is
probably quite small in view of White's misplaced king.} ({Instead,} 12. Be3 $6
Bc5 13. Kd2 Bxe3+ 14. fxe3 Rd8 {left Black with attacking chances in Cooke,
T-Duggan,H Brisbane 2006})) 8. Qxe7+ {White takes the queens off immediately
while the chance is there.} (8. d5 Nb4 9. Qxe7+ Bxe7 10. Na3 O-O-O {gives
Black sufficient activity for the pawn, Grabics,M (2185)-Carvalho,A Bratislava
1993}) 8... Bxe7 {Diagram [#]} 9. a3 {This is a tempting move, preventing ...
Nb4, but I don't think that it is best, in view of the response by Black in
this game, taking advantage of the hole that this creates on b3. White is
better off focusing on development, even at the cost of allowing Black's
knight into b4.} ({Stefan Bucker's analysis in Kaissiber 32 claimed full
compensation for the pawn in these lines, but I am not so sure, as White has a
potential improvement here. After} 9. Be3 Nb4 10. Na3 {I am not completely
convinced that Black has full compensation for the pawn. For example,} Ne4 11.
Be2 Bf6 12. O-O O-O-O 13. Ne5 {with a slight advantage for White, Pruess,D
(2402)-Gareev,T (2551) Cappelle la Grande 2007}) 9... Na5 $1 {Black eyes the
weak b3-square and prepares to play ...c5, undermining White's centre, as
recommended in Kaissiber 32.} 10. Nbd2 {Defending b3.} c5 11. dxc5 O-O-O 12. b4
{Diagram [#] White prepares to push Black back, with this pawn move, but Black
doesn't have to comply.} Rhe8 {Instead of retreating the a5-knight back to c6,
which allows White to take a significant share of the initiative, Black opts
to sacrifice a piece in order to keep a strong attack going, and can get away
with doing this even with the queens off the board.} ({The alternative piece
sacrifice with} 12... Bxc5 {is not quite as good as the one used in the game,
as White has a way of returning the piece and keeping an extra pawn:} 13. bxc5
Rhe8+ 14. Be2 Bd3 15. Ng1 Rxe2+ 16. Nxe2 Re8 17. O-O Rxe2 18. f3 {and Black
retains some compensation for the pawn, but it is not clear if it is enough.})
13. Be2 Nh5 14. bxa5 Nf4 {This piece sacrifice is fully sound and White has to
be careful just to survive.} 15. Nb3 Nxg2+ 16. Kf1 Bh3 17. Nfd4 (17. Kg1 Bf6 {
is no good for White, as White cannot save the a1-rook without making further
concessions.} 18. Nfd4 $2 Rxe2 {leaves Black with too many mating threats.})
17... Bxc5 18. Bg4+ Bxg4 19. Kxg2 Bxd4 20. Nxd4 Rxd4 {Diagram [#] In this
position, despite the simplification, Black retains considerable attacking
chances against the white king, which turns out to be a more critical factor
than White's inferior pawn structure (otherwise, White would have good drawing
chances due to the opposite-coloured bishops).} 21. Be3 Rd6 22. Bxa7 Bd7 23.
Rhe1 Rg6+ 24. Kf3 Bc6+ 25. Kf4 Rf6+ 26. Kg3 Rf3+ 27. Kg4 h5+ 28. Kg5 {White
has gone a pawn ahead for the time being, but is still struggling to avoid
being checkmated.} Be4 29. Kh4 (29. Kxh5 $2 Re6 {wins for Black, since if} 30.
Be3 Bf5) 29... g5+ 30. Kxh5 Rh8+ 31. Kg4 Rf4+ 32. Kg3 Bc6 33. Rf1 Rf3+ 34. Kg2
Rfh3+ 35. f3 Rxh2+ 36. Kg1 g4 37. Bd4 R8h5 38. Rf2 R2h4 39. Bf6 Rh3 40. Rd2
Rg3+ 41. Rg2 Rxf3 42. Bd4 Rd3 43. Rxg4 Rxd4 44. Rxd4 Rh1+ 45. Kf2 Rxa1 {
Diagram [#] Black's attack has succeeded in winning a piece for a pawn, which
is easily sufficient to force a win.} 46. Rf4 Ra2+ 47. Ke1 Be8 48. Rf3 Kc7 49.
Re3 Bd7 50. Rf3 Be6 51. Rc3 Kc6 52. Kd1 f5 53. Rf3 Kc5 54. Re3 Bxc4 55. Re5+
Kd4 56. Rxf5 Kc3 57. Rf3+ Bd3 58. Ke1 Rxa3 59. Kf2 Rxa5 60. Rf7 b5 61. Rc7+ Bc4
0-1
[Event "Bonn GSK"]
[Site "Bonn"]
[Date "1996.??.??"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Miezis, Normunds"]
[Black "Zagorskis, Darius"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C01"]
[WhiteElo "2530"]
[BlackElo "2520"]
[PlyCount "84"]
[EventDate "1996.08.??"]
[EventType "tourn"]
[EventRounds "12"]
[EventCountry "GER"]
[EventCategory "12"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "1997.02.01"]
{We now examine ways for White to decline the gambit.} 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3.
c4 e6 4. d4 {This is still playable, transposing into the Exchange Variation
of the French Defence, but is unlikely to promise White any advantage, unlike
the Panov Attack in the Caro-Kann, which is more challenging for Black to face.
In general, play tends to lead to "isolated queen's pawn" positions where
White tries to generate active piece play to compensate for having an isolated
pawn on d4. This line is quite important and there are many options for both
sides, so since I am mostly focusing on the Icelandic/Palme Gambit, I will
just provide a selection of the most important and popular possibilities.} exd5
5. Nc3 {transposes to 4.d4 lines, and is probably White's best option.} Nc6 {
is then a slightly offbeat, but promising, option, adding some pressure to d4.
White doesn't have enough pressure on the d5-pawn to be able to harass the
knight on c6. A subsequent exchange of White's c-pawn for Black's d-pawn will
leave White with an isolated pawn on d4.} (5... Bb4 {is the most popular line,
where Black immediately pins the c3-knight and so reduces the pressure on d5.}
6. Nf3 O-O 7. Be2 {Diagram [#]} dxc4 {This leads to typical "isolated queen's
pawn" positions where Black hopes to prove that White's d4-pawn is a weakness,
while White hopes to generate piece activity to compensate.} (7... Nc6 {is
again a promising alternative, e.g.} 8. O-O Be6 9. cxd5 Nxd5 10. Bd2 Be7 {and
the game was prematurely agreed drawn in Vidalina,F (2087)-Sargac,R (2186)
Croatia 2011. If anything I slightly prefer Black in this position, as White
isn't generating much activity yet, while the d-pawn remains a target.}) 8. O-O
Nc6 9. Bxc4 Bg4 10. Be3 {with equal chances, Moskalenko,V (2523)-Magem Badals,
J (2554) Don Benito 2012}) 6. Nf3 Bg4 {[%csl Rd4][%cal Rg4d1,Rc6d4] Black pins
the f3-knight to the white queen, thus reducing White's defence of the d4-pawn.
} 7. Be3 {White defends d4, to prevent any tricks involving ...Bxf3 and ...
Nxd4.} Bb4 (7... Be7 {is an important alternative. This method of development
is more restrained but Black can count on saddling White with an isolated
d-pawn this way, whereas after ...Bb4, White can encourage Black to trade the
bishop for the c3-knight and bring the b2-pawn out to c3, where it will give
the d4-pawn some support.} 8. Be2 O-O 9. O-O dxc4 10. Bxc4 {Diagram [#] is a
position that quite often arises in practice, and offers equal chances, as
White has superior piece activity as compensation for the isolated pawn on d4.}
Qd7 11. Be2 ({I prefer} 11. Re1 {since if Black tries to go after d4 with} Bxf3
12. Qxf3 Nxd4 13. Bxd4 Qxd4 {then White gets slightly the better chances with}
14. Rxe7 Qxc4 15. Qxb7) 11... Nd5 12. Nxd5 Qxd5 {is pleasant for Black, Miezis,
N (2519)-Megaranto,S (2516) Khanty-Mansiysk 2010}) 8. a3 Bxc3+ {If Black
retreats the bishop to e7 then play transposes into ...Be7 lines, in which
White has the extra tempo a2-a3, which can support the b2-b4 push in some
variations.} 9. bxc3 {Diagram [#]} O-O (9... Qe7 {preparing queenside castling
rather appeals to me, although it has only been tested in one fairly low-level
game:} 10. Qb3 O-O-O 11. c5 {where Black should probably have played ...Ne4
here, Sarquis,M (2093)-Montoro,G (2121) Villa Ballester 2004}) 10. Bd3 dxc4 11.
Bxc4 Nd5 {Black places the knight on d5, in front of White's d4-pawn, and
attacks the bishop on e3 and the pawn on c3.} 12. Rc1 {This move leads to the
loss of a pawn, but White presumably hopes to get good compensation thanks to
open lines and development.} (12. O-O {is playable here, since} Nxc3 13. Qb3 {
leaves Black's c3-knight in some trouble and White is threatening to take on
b7 under quite favourable circumstances.}) 12... Nxe3 13. fxe3 Qe7 {[%cal
Re7e3,Re7a3] Forking the pawns on e3 and a3, and thus winning a pawn.} 14. Qd3
Qxa3 (14... Bxf3 15. gxf3 {is the computer's choice, but I would not be
comfortable giving White the half-open g-file pointing towards Black's king.})
15. O-O {Diagram [#]} Qe7 ({But here, with White having committed to castling
short, I think it is probably best for Black to go in for} 15... Bxf3 16. gxf3
Rad8 $15) 16. e4 {White has a strong centre here, which may well offer
sufficient compensation for the pawn.} Rad8 17. Ba2 Bh5 18. Qb5 Bxf3 19. Rxf3 {
It is clear that Black has "lost the plot" a little- in this position I would
rather have White, whose pieces are by far the more active.} Rb8 20. Rcf1 Nd8
21. Qh5 {White now switches attention to the kingside, with the aim of
building up a strong attack.} Ne6 22. Rg3 Kh8 23. e5 c6 24. Rg4 {Here Black
has to defend carefully, but succeeds in doing so.} ({If} 24. Rh3 {then Black
can keep everything covered with} Ng5 25. Rh4 f5) 24... g6 25. Qh6 {[%cal
Rg4h4] The threat is Rh4.} Rg8 {Black must play this in order to defend h7
with ...Rg7.} (25... b5 $4 26. Rh4 Ng5 {no longer works for Black:} 27. Rf6)
26. Rf6 (26. h4 {is another way to continue the attack, although Black's
defences are still adequate.}) 26... Rbe8 27. Bxe6 fxe6 28. Rgxg6 Rxg6 29. Rxg6
{Here Black is over the worst, as numerous pieces have been exchanged off, but
White has regained the sacrificed pawn, which leaves the position drawish.
There are a couple of twists to come, though.} a5 30. Rf6 a4 {White now allows
this pawn to become too dangerous.} 31. Qf4 Kg8 32. h4 {This is probably too
risky, since Black now gets a strong pawn on a3.} (32. Qg5+ {may well lead to
a draw by repetition of moves, e.g.} Qg7 33. Qc1 {(preventing ...a4-a3)} Qe7 {
(renewing the threat)} 34. Qg5+) 32... a3 33. Qf2 Rf8 34. c4 $6 (34. Qa2) 34...
Ra8 35. Qg3+ Kh8 (35... Qg7 {may be even stronger.} 36. Qc3 (36. Qxg7+ $4 Kxg7
37. Rf1 a2 38. Ra1 b5 {and White will be forced to give up the rook for
Black's a and b-pawns.}) 36... a2 37. Rf1 Qg4 {with a large, possibly winning,
advantage for Black.}) 36. Rf1 a2 $6 ({Stronger would have been to provide the
a3-pawn with further support from the b-pawn, starting with} 36... b5) 37. Ra1
Qb4 38. Qf2 Qb1+ 39. Kh2 Qxa1 {This allows White to force a draw by perpetual
check.} ({However, I don't think Black can generate many winning chances after
} 39... Kg8 40. Qf4) 40. Qf6+ Kg8 41. Qxe6+ Kf8 42. Qf6+ Kg8 1/2-1/2
[Event "Madrid-chT"]
[Site "Madrid"]
[Date "2012.02.19"]
[Round "11.31"]
[White "Alcazar Jimenez, Victor Manuel"]
[Black "Moreno Trujillo, Alejandro"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "C00"]
[WhiteElo "2379"]
[BlackElo "2474"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2011.11.13"]
[EventType "team-tourn"]
[EventRounds "14"]
[EventCountry "ESP"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2012.11.22"]
[WhiteTeam "Blanco y Negro"]
[BlackTeam "Villalba"]
[WhiteTeamCountry "ESP"]
[BlackTeamCountry "ESP"]
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Nf6 3. c4 e6 4. Nc3 {This is another fairly popular method of
declining the gambit, but should not concern Black. If White wishes to
decline the gambit then it is probably best to head for the Exchange Variation
of the French Defence with 4.d4.} (4. Nf3 exd5 5. cxd5 ({Again, best here is
probably} 5. d4) 5... Nxd5 {is similar to the game continuation, but gives
White a couple of independent options, neither of which are really a threat to
Black.} 6. Bc4 Nb6 7. Bb5+ c6 8. Be2) 4... exd5 {I have experimented with ways
to persist in offering a gambit in casual games, but none of them seem to work.
} 5. cxd5 (5. d4 {again transposes into the French Defence, Exchange Variation.
}) 5... Nxd5 {gives Black a comfortable position, having already isolated
White's d-pawn, and retaining a fair share of the piece activity.} 6. Bc4 (6.
Nf3 Nc6 7. d4 {is met by the pin} Bb4 {, for example,} 8. Bd2 O-O 9. Be2 Bg4
10. O-O {and the game was prematurely agreed drawn in Miezis,N (2564)-Meijers,
V (2486) Riga 2005. I think Black has at least equality here.}) 6... Nb6 (6...
Nxc3 7. bxc3 Bd6 {is the main alternative, but here White can get a foothold
in the centre with d2-d4, e.g.} 8. d4 O-O 9. Nf3 Nc6 (9... Re8+ 10. Be3 Nc6 {
may be a slight improvement for Black here.}) 10. O-O Bg4 11. h3 Bh5 12. Rb1 {
and White has a slight edge, Manhardt,T (2158)-Marwan,D (2154) Austria 2004})
7. Bb3 Nc6 {Diagram [#]} 8. Nge2 (8. Nf3 Qe7+ {is an awkward check for White
to meet, since White has to either retreat the c3-knight to e2, or lose
castling rights.}) 8... Bd6 9. d4 O-O 10. Qd3 $6 (10. O-O Qh4 11. g3 Qh5 12. f3
Bh3 13. Rf2 {is acceptable for White, although Black can be satisfied due to
the kingside attacking chances and White's isolated d4-pawn, Morais,G (2436)
-Barnsley,A (2473) ICCF email 2000}) 10... Qh4 11. a3 Qh5 {Diagram [#] This
position is better for Black, who enjoys the superior piece activity as well
as having saddled White with an isolated pawn on d4.} 12. Bc2 Qg6 {This move
attempts simplification and blocks off White's attacking threats against f7,
but Black has more active options here.} (12... Re8 13. Be3 Be6 {is one good
continuation.}) 13. Ne4 Bf5 14. f3 Rad8 ({Black appears able to get away with}
14... Qxg2 15. Rg1 Qxh2 16. Bg5 Be7 {but I can understand Black being
reluctant to open up files against the black king.}) 15. Be3 Rfe8 16. g4 Bxe4
17. fxe4 Bb4+ 18. Nc3 Bc5 {Diagram [#] Black is still substantially better in
this position, for although White has a strong centre, it is under
considerable pressure.} 19. Nb5 Bxd4 20. Bxd4 Nxd4 21. Nxd4 c5 22. O-O-O cxd4 {
Black now has an extra pawn for not much, so is clearly better, maybe even
winning.} 23. Kb1 Re5 24. h3 Qc6 25. Qg3 Rc5 26. Bb3 Kh8 $6 {This gives White
chances.} (26... Nc4 {is one good way to block off White's pressure against f7.
}) 27. Bxf7 Qxe4+ 28. Ka1 Qe5 29. Qd3 Qc7 30. Ba2 Nc4 31. Rhe1 g6 32. Qf3 Qg7
33. Re4 Rcc8 34. Qd3 Ne5 35. Qe2 Nc6 36. Re1 Rf8 37. g5 Rcd8 38. Qd3 Qd7 39. h4
Rde8 40. Be6 Qg7 41. Qc4 {Black could have tried for more than a draw here
with 41...Rd8, but White has a fair amount of compensation for the pawn here,
as it will be hard to hold onto the important d4-pawn.} 1/2-1/2